§ 73.646 Telecommunications Service on the Vertical Blanking Interval and
in the Visual Signal.
(a) Telecommunications services permitted on the vertical blanking
interval (VBI) and in the visual signal include the transmission of
data, processed information, or any other communication in either a
digital or analog mode.
(b) Telecommunications service on the VBI and in the visual signal is
of an ancillary nature and as such is an elective, subsidiary activity.
No service guidelines, limitations, or performance standards are
applied to it. The kinds of service that may be provided include, but
are not limited to, teletext, paging, computer software and bulk data
distribution, and aural messages. Such services may be provided on a
broadcast, point-to-point, or point to multipoint basis.
(c) Telecommunications services that are common carrier in nature are
subject to common carrier regulation. Licensees operating such services
are required to apply to the Commission for the appropriate
authorization and to comply with all policies and rules applicable to
the particular service.
(d) Television licensees are authorized to lease their VBI and visual
signal telecommunications facilities to outside parties. In all
arrangements entered into with outside parties affecting
telecommunications service operation, the licensee or permittee must
retain control over all material transmitted in a broadcast mode via
the station's facilities, with the right to reject any material that it
deems inappropriate or undesirable. The licensee or permittee is also
responsible for all aspects of technical operation involving such
telecommunications services.
(e) The grant or renewal of a TV station license or permit will not be
furthered or promoted by proposed or past VBI or visual signal
telecommunications service operation; the licensee must establish that
its broadcast operation serves the public interest wholly apart from
such telecommunications service activities. (Violation of rules
applicable to VBI and visual signal telecommunications services could,
of course, reflect on a licensee's qualifications to hold its license
or permit.)
(f) TV broadcast stations are authorized to transmit VBI and visual
telecommunications service signals during any time period, including
portions of the day when normal programming is not broadcast. Such
transmissions must be in accordance with the technical provisions of
§ 73.682.
[ 50 FR 4663 , Feb. 1, 1985, as amended at 50 FR 9035 , Mar. 6, 1985; 61 FR 36304 , July 10, 1996]
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